A clothes hanger constructed of plastic has an integral identification compartment formed by a tag frame. A hook section adapted to support the hanger in use is connected to one side of the tag frame. A pair of arms for supporting clothing are also integrally connected to the tag frame, each arm extending from the frame at an equal distance from where the hook section is connected. The outer ends of the arms are connected by a cross-member. A cover, connected by an integral hinge to the tag frame, has a series of peripheral projections each fitting into a slot on one side of the tag frame to hold the cover against that side of the frame. An identification tag is positionable between the tag frame and the cover such that information on the tag is visible in the window of the frame. The hanger may be utilized by an individual wishing to more easily identify his/her clothing, or by an institution wishing to reduce the number of hangers removed from its premises.

Patent
   5381938
Priority
Feb 15 1994
Filed
Feb 15 1994
Issued
Jan 17 1995
Expiry
Feb 15 2014
Assg.orig
Entity
Small
39
8
EXPIRED
1. A plastic clothes hanger comprising:
(a) a hook section;
(b) an identification tag frame integrally connected to the hook section;
(c) a pair of support arms, each having a first end integrally connected to the tag frame at an equal distance from where the hook section is connected to the tag frame;
(d) a cross-member having a pair of ends, each end being integrally connected to a second end of a respective one of the pair of support arms; and,
(e) an identification tag frame cover connected by an integral hinge to the tag frame and having the same general outer shape as the tag frame, the cover extending in a first position intermediate the tag frame and the cross-member, the cover having one or more projections each adapted to fit into a complementary slot on one side of the tag frame for holding the cover in a second position against the one side of the tag frame, an identification tag being adapted to be retained between the cover and the tag frame when the cover is in the second position.
7. A plastic clothes hanger comprising:
(a) a frame adapted to hold an identification tag, the frame being a planar loop having a generally uniform cross-section, the inner periphery of the loop being configured such that a ledge exists on one side of the loop, the plane of the ledge being parallel to the plane of the loop;
(b) a hook section integrally connected to the outside of the frame and extending in the plane of the frame;
(c) a pair of support arms, each having a first end integrally connected to the outside of the frame at an equal distance from where the hook section is connected to the frame, the support arms extending in the plane of the frame;
(d) a cross-member having a pair of ends, each end being integrally connected to a second end of a respective one of the pair of support arms; and,
(e) a frame cover connected by an integral hinge to the frame intermediate where the pair of support arms are connected to the frame, the cover having the same general outer shape as the frame and extending in a first position intermediate the frame and the cross-member, the cover having one or more projections each adapted to fit into a complementary slot on the inside of the ledge on the frame for holding the cover in a second position against the ledge, an identification tag being adapted to be retained between the cover and the frame when the cover is in the second position.
2. A plastic clothes hanger as in claim 1, wherein the identification tag frame and cover have a generally circular shape.
3. A plastic clothes hanger as in claim 1, wherein the identification tag frame and cover have a generally rectangular shape.
4. A plastic clothes hanger as in claim 1, wherein the identification tag frame and cover have a generally square shape.
5. A plastic clothes hanger as in claim 1, wherein the hook section, the support arms and the cross-member each have a generally circular cross-section.
6. A plastic clothes hanger as in claim 1, wherein the hook section, the support arms, the identification tag frame and the cross-member all extend in the same plane.
8. A plastic clothes hanger as in claim 7, wherein the frame and cover have a generally circular shape.
9. A plastic clothes hanger as in claim 7, wherein the frame and cover have a generally rectangular shape.
10. A plastic clothes hanger as in claim 7, wherein the frame and cover have a generally square shape.
11. A plastic clothes hanger as in claim 7, wherein the hook section, the support arms and the cross-member each have a generally circular cross-section.

The invention relates to a clothes hanger, and more particularly, to a plastic clothes hanger having an identification compartment.

The clothes hanger of this invention has application to situations in which hangers need to be identified with a particular individual or institution. For instance, it is helpful for small children to have hangers that are easily differentiated from those of other small children in school surroundings. It would be an advantage to a hotel or similar institution to have its hangers carry identification to reduce removal by patrons. Although some institutions have identification tags on their hangers already, those tags often take the form of a permanent embossed symbol that is not easily modified; in contrast, the hanger of this invention allow easy and rapid modification of an identification tag carried on it.

The hanger of this invention has the further advantage that it allows an identification tag to be prominently displayed intermediate of a hook section used for mounting the hanger and the hanger's clothing support surfaces. As such the identification tag remains visible when the hanger is in use. A further advantage of the hanger of the invention is that the portion adapted to carry the identification tag contributes to the attractiveness of the hanger even if no identification tag is mounted.

In one form, the invention is a plastic clothes hanger comprises a hook section, an identification tag frame integrally connected to the hook section, and a pair of support arms with first ends integrally connected to the tag frame. It further comprises a cross-member integrally connected to the second ends of the support arms, and an identification tag frame cover connected by an integral hinge to the tag frame. The first end of each support arm is connected to the tag frame at an equal distance from where the hook section is connected to the tag frame. The tag frame cover has the same general shape as the tag frame, and extends in a first position intermediate the tag frame and the cross-member. The cover has one or more projections each adapted to fit into a complementary slot on one side of the tag frame for holding the cover in a second position against the one side of the tag frame. An identification tag is adapted to be retained between the cover and the tag frame when the cover is in the second position.

The identification tag frame may have either a generally circular, rectangular or square shape. It might alternately have any other convenient shape; for instance, a triangular shape. The hook section, the support arms and the cross-member normally have a generally circular cross-section, although another cross-section might be utilized. All parts of the plastic clothes hanger of the invention normally extend in the same plane.

The invention will next be described by means of preferred embodiments, utilizing the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of the clothes hanger of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially-sectioned end view of the hanger of FIG. 1, the view being taken along the line II--II in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a second embodiment of the clothes hanger of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a partially-sectioned end view of the hanger of FIG. 3, the view being taken along the line IV--IV in FIG. 3.

With reference to FIG. 1, a clothes hanger constructed from plastic is generally designated as 10. Hanger 10 has a hook section 12 of generally circular cross-section, integrally connected to one side of an identification tag frame 14 of generally square profile. Hook section 12 and tag frame 14 extend in the same plane. As shown in FIG. 2, tag frame 14 has a cross-section extending approximately three-quarters of a circular arc. The other quarter of the arc defines a ledge 16 extending around the inner periphery of tag frame 14 on one side of that frame.

Integrally connected to respective opposite sides of tag frame 14 at an equal distance from the connection point of hook section 12 are a pair of support arms 18, each of circular cross-section. The support arms 18 each have an intermediate connecting link 20 inserted to capture the respective strap of a nightgown or similar clothing mounted on hanger 10. A cross-member 22, also of circular cross-section, has its outer ends integrally connected by arcuate arches to the outer ends of support arms 18.

Tag frame 14 has one end of a thin pleated hinge 24 integrally connected to it at a point approximately opposite to the point at which hook section 12 is connected. A tag frame cover 26 is integrally connected by a first one of its sides to the other end of hinge 24. The outer profile of cover 26 approximately matches in size and shape the outer profile of ledge 16 on tag frame 14. On each of the other three sides of cover 26 a projection 28 extends, as best seen in FIG. 3. Each projection 28 is adapted to fit into a complementary slot 30 on the periphery of ledge 16 when cover 26 is pressed against that side of tag frame 14 having ledge 16.

An identification tag 32 having a similar profile to, but slightly smaller size than, cover 26 is adapted to be positioned on the ledge 16 before cover 26 is pressed into the side of tag frame 14. A knife or other sharp-edged instrument may be used to pry cover 26 away from tag frame 14 if identification tag 32 needs to be replaced or modified.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are views of a hanger identical to the hanger of FIGS. 1 and 2, except for the circular profile of tag frame 14 and cover 26. Alternate matching profiles are possible for those two members, for instance, a rectangular profile or a triangular profile.

Although not shown in the drawings, it is possible that the cover 26 could take the form of a ring with a window in its centre. This arrangement would allow use of an identification tag with printing on both sides, a hanger with such tag being identifiable from either side.

The plastic clothes hanger of the invention has an integral compartment for housing a replaceable identification tag, reducing loss or misplacement of the hanger.

Vasudeva, Kailash C.

Patent Priority Assignee Title
10653258, Jun 23 2019 Garment check system
11445842, May 04 2021 By a Girl, LLC Device and method for closet organization
5641100, Sep 30 1992 TIC RETAIL ACCESSORIES PTY LTD Garment hanger indicator system
5868289, Sep 18 1996 Stiffened folded paperboard hanger
6053377, Sep 11 1998 Wooden garment hanger and method for making same
6094848, Oct 20 1998 R G BARRY CORPORATION Display chip and method for displaying an article
7228995, Mar 19 2003 Clothing hanger adapted for personal use
7318540, Jun 08 2006 The Accessory Corp. Indicator for garment hanger
7552849, Mar 14 2005 PROSPERITY PRODUCTS HK LIMITED Side-sizer for wire hook hangers
8113394, May 29 2008 Sourcing Solutions International Limited Garment hanger including fold-over paper sizer
8181832, May 29 2008 Sourcing Solutions International Limited Garment hanger including slide-in sizer
8220674, May 15 2009 Closet hanger
9480354, Nov 21 2013 Garment hanger
9622606, Aug 24 2016 Closet organizing device
D404579, Dec 11 1997 Garment hanger
D504577, Jun 22 2004 Heavy duty hanger
D506078, Jul 12 2004 Sourcing Solutions International Limited Garment hanger hook with size indicator
D506620, Jul 12 2004 Sourcing Solutions International Limited Metal garment hook with size indicator
D507120, Jul 12 2004 Sourcing Solutions International Limited Metal garment hook having angled web with size indicator
D507705, Nov 08 2004 Merrick Engineering, Inc. Notched hanger with swivel hook and non-slip sections
D509073, Jul 12 2004 Sourcing Solutions International Limited Size indicator for garment hanger
D530928, Jan 13 2006 Clothing hanger
D570679, Jul 29 2005 R G BARRY CORPORATION Footwear hanger display arrangement
D591056, Sep 22 2008 Clothes hanger
D591057, Sep 22 2008 Clothes hanger
D591058, Sep 22 2008 Clothes hanger
D591059, Sep 22 2008 Clothes hanger
D591060, Sep 22 2008 Clothes hanger
D591061, Sep 22 2008 Clothes hanger
D591519, Sep 22 2008 Clothes hanger
D644845, Sep 22 2010 Clothes hanger
D656746, May 25 2011 Hanger
D709292, Mar 14 2013 Hanger
D759391, Nov 15 2012 Mainetti (UK) Limited Garment hanger
D809807, Feb 01 2017 Target Brands, Inc. Clothing hanger
D864597, Oct 22 2018 Hanger
D911045, Nov 05 2019 Hanger
ER8965,
ER9226,
Patent Priority Assignee Title
1348952,
1710296,
2801036,
3178842,
4922639, May 04 1988 HELLER FINANCIAL, INC Cart with advertising panels
4937963, Nov 21 1988 Lasercard Corporation Protective enclosure for data cards
5056248, Apr 17 1990 GHA BRANDS LTD Brand identification system
5238159, Nov 22 1991 GHA BRANDS LTD Hanger with improved irremovable information tab
//
Executed onAssignorAssigneeConveyanceFrameReelDoc
Jan 26 1994VASUDEVA, KAILASH C SHIVTECH PLASTICS INC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS 0068810504 pdf
Feb 15 1994Shivtech Plastics Inc.(assignment on the face of the patent)
Date Maintenance Fee Events
Jul 16 1998M283: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 4th Yr, Small Entity.
Aug 06 2002REM: Maintenance Fee Reminder Mailed.
Jan 17 2003EXP: Patent Expired for Failure to Pay Maintenance Fees.


Date Maintenance Schedule
Jan 17 19984 years fee payment window open
Jul 17 19986 months grace period start (w surcharge)
Jan 17 1999patent expiry (for year 4)
Jan 17 20012 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 4)
Jan 17 20028 years fee payment window open
Jul 17 20026 months grace period start (w surcharge)
Jan 17 2003patent expiry (for year 8)
Jan 17 20052 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 8)
Jan 17 200612 years fee payment window open
Jul 17 20066 months grace period start (w surcharge)
Jan 17 2007patent expiry (for year 12)
Jan 17 20092 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 12)